EP0001043B1 - Synthesis and aqueous recovery of hydroquinone - Google Patents
Synthesis and aqueous recovery of hydroquinone Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0001043B1 EP0001043B1 EP78100526A EP78100526A EP0001043B1 EP 0001043 B1 EP0001043 B1 EP 0001043B1 EP 78100526 A EP78100526 A EP 78100526A EP 78100526 A EP78100526 A EP 78100526A EP 0001043 B1 EP0001043 B1 EP 0001043B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- hydroquinone
- phase
- aqueous
- distillation
- acetone
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- QIGBRXMKCJKVMJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydroquinone Chemical compound OC1=CC=C(O)C=C1 QIGBRXMKCJKVMJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims description 159
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 title description 3
- 238000003786 synthesis reaction Methods 0.000 title description 3
- CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetone Chemical compound CC(C)=O CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 64
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 43
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 41
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 claims description 39
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 31
- 239000008346 aqueous phase Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 239000007810 chemical reaction solvent Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- NTIZESTWPVYFNL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl isobutyl ketone Chemical compound CC(C)CC(C)=O NTIZESTWPVYFNL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 18
- UIHCLUNTQKBZGK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl isobutyl ketone Natural products CCC(C)C(C)=O UIHCLUNTQKBZGK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 18
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000012074 organic phase Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- REGMWDPZVFOJLY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,4-bis(2-hydroperoxypropan-2-yl)benzene Chemical compound OOC(C)(C)C1=CC=C(C(C)(C)OO)C=C1 REGMWDPZVFOJLY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000006228 supernatant Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Diethyl ether Chemical compound CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000006286 aqueous extract Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000010977 unit operation Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005191 phase separation Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- HXVNBWAKAOHACI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanone Chemical compound CC(C)C(=O)C(C)C HXVNBWAKAOHACI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- SYBYTAAJFKOIEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-Methylbutan-2-one Chemical compound CC(C)C(C)=O SYBYTAAJFKOIEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003377 acid catalyst Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- JHIVVAPYMSGYDF-UHFFFAOYSA-N cyclohexanone Chemical compound O=C1CCCCC1 JHIVVAPYMSGYDF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- AQIXEPGDORPWBJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N pentan-3-ol Chemical compound CCC(O)CC AQIXEPGDORPWBJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011541 reaction mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- ZAFNJMIOTHYJRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Diisopropyl ether Chemical compound CC(C)OC(C)C ZAFNJMIOTHYJRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- -1 I-pentanol Chemical compound 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002244 precipitate Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- JOXIMZWYDAKGHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N toluene-4-sulfonic acid Chemical compound CC1=CC=C(S(O)(=O)=O)C=C1 JOXIMZWYDAKGHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- QJMYXHKGEGNLED-UHFFFAOYSA-N 5-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-1h-pyrimidine-2,4-dione Chemical compound OCCNC1=CNC(=O)NC1=O QJMYXHKGEGNLED-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 229910004039 HBF4 Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002841 Lewis acid Substances 0.000 claims 1
- ZMANZCXQSJIPKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Triethylamine Chemical class CCN(CC)CC ZMANZCXQSJIPKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003513 alkali Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229910001854 alkali hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 229910001860 alkaline earth metal hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002585 base Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 150000004649 carbonic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 150000007517 lewis acids Chemical class 0.000 claims 1
- 150000003956 methylamines Chemical class 0.000 claims 1
- UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Benzene Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1 UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 21
- 239000011269 tar Substances 0.000 description 17
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 10
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000008707 rearrangement Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000000706 filtrate Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000006462 rearrangement reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000002425 crystallisation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008025 crystallization Effects 0.000 description 5
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical group [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000006386 neutralization reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 4
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetic acid Chemical compound CC(O)=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- YMWUJEATGCHHMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dichloromethane Chemical compound ClCCl YMWUJEATGCHHMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Toluene Chemical compound CC1=CC=CC=C1 YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000003776 cleavage reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010979 pH adjustment Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000001953 recrystallisation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000007017 scission Effects 0.000 description 3
- SPPWGCYEYAMHDT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,4-di(propan-2-yl)benzene Chemical compound CC(C)C1=CC=C(C(C)C)C=C1 SPPWGCYEYAMHDT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- YQUQWHNMBPIWGK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-isopropylphenol Chemical compound CC(C)C1=CC=C(O)C=C1 YQUQWHNMBPIWGK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- AMQJEAYHLZJPGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N N-Pentanol Chemical compound CCCCCO AMQJEAYHLZJPGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012065 filter cake Substances 0.000 description 2
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 150000002989 phenols Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- FKSAYGREWVVCIZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-methyl-1-phenylbut-3-en-1-one Chemical compound CC(=C)CC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1 FKSAYGREWVVCIZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JAGRUUPXPPLSRX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-prop-1-en-2-ylphenol Chemical compound CC(=C)C1=CC=C(O)C=C1 JAGRUUPXPPLSRX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000019737 Animal fat Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000002835 absorbance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000159 acid neutralizing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000005215 alkyl ethers Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003963 antioxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003078 antioxidant effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000004945 aromatic hydrocarbons Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 235000019282 butylated hydroxyanisole Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000003518 caustics Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005119 centrifugation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003889 chemical engineering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- SPTHWAJJMLCAQF-UHFFFAOYSA-M ctk4f8481 Chemical compound [O-]O.CC(C)C1=CC=CC=C1C(C)C SPTHWAJJMLCAQF-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- YQHLDYVWEZKEOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N cumene hydroperoxide Chemical compound OOC(C)(C)C1=CC=CC=C1 YQHLDYVWEZKEOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010908 decantation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000539 dimer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000001495 ethyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000008282 halocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004124 hock Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 125000000687 hydroquinonyl group Chemical group C1(O)=C(C=C(O)C=C1)* 0.000 description 1
- 239000003112 inhibitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002075 main ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009740 moulding (composite fabrication) Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910000069 nitrogen hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005180 public health Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001256 steam distillation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013638 trimer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005292 vacuum distillation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- C07C37/00—Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring
- C07C37/08—Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring by decomposition of hydroperoxides, e.g. cumene hydroperoxide
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- C07C37/00—Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring
- C07C37/68—Purification; separation; Use of additives, e.g. for stabilisation
- C07C37/685—Processes comprising at least two steps in series
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- C07C37/00—Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring
- C07C37/68—Purification; separation; Use of additives, e.g. for stabilisation
- C07C37/70—Purification; separation; Use of additives, e.g. for stabilisation by physical treatment
- C07C37/72—Purification; separation; Use of additives, e.g. for stabilisation by physical treatment by liquid-liquid treatment
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- C07C37/00—Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring
- C07C37/68—Purification; separation; Use of additives, e.g. for stabilisation
- C07C37/70—Purification; separation; Use of additives, e.g. for stabilisation by physical treatment
- C07C37/84—Purification; separation; Use of additives, e.g. for stabilisation by physical treatment by crystallisation
Definitions
- the field of this invention is the synthesis of hydroquinone by acid cleavage (Hock-splitting) and recovery of hydroquinone from the reactor effluent.
- hydroquinone must be a white crystal or crystalline powder which meets ASA specification PH 4.126-1962 in order to be photographic grade. A high standard for whiteness is imperative for photographic grade material. Hydroquinone is used widely as the main ingredient in black and white film print developing.
- Hydroquinone is also useful as a polymerization inhibitor and 2 s an antioxidant. Hydroquinone itself and derivatives, such as 2,5-di-tert.-butylhydroquinone and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), are used for the prevention of oxidation in animal fat and aviation fuels.
- BHA butylated hydroxyanisole
- tars By-products of the Hock-splitting (or rearrangement) reaction, referred to as tars, are believed to be the major impediment to high purity.
- these tars are: p-isopropylphenol, a-hydroxy-p-isopropylphenol, p-diisopropylbenzene, p-isopropenyl- phenol, isopropenyl acetophenone, and dimers and trimers of the product and by-products.
- These impurities and by-products must be removed from the rearrangement product mixture in order to obtain a good color grade and high purity product.
- Benzene has been the subject of recent regulatory action.
- U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently promulgated an emergency temporary standard bringing the average allowed exposure of a worker to benzene down to one part per million on a time- weighted basis, and allowing no more than five parts per million (ppm) peak exposure in factories during any 15-minute period. Even prior to this regulation the exposure was limited to 10 ppm. Thus, it is desirable to limit as much as possible the use of benzene in the process for making hydroquinone.
- MIBK methyl isobutyl ketone
- Reactor effluent is subjected to neutralization, distillation to remove the acetone formed in the reaction and part of the MIBK reaction solvent, extraction of the distillation bottoms with water, extraction of the hydroquinone-bearing aqueous extract with MIBK to remove impurities, concentration of the purified aqueous extract, and crystallization of the hydroquinone.
- Parts of this process are described in German Offen- legungsschrift 2446992, April 15, 1976.
- a process for purifying hydroquinone by successive aqueous extractions of the tars is described in U.S. Patent 3,900,523. In that process it is a steam distillation following the rearrangement reaction which removes the reaction solvent and forms a crude hydroquinone aqueous solution consisting essentially of water, hydroquinone, solvent and tar substances.
- the concentration of hydroquinone in this aqueous solution must be about 23 weight percent or more at a temperature of about 60°C.
- a process combining the steps of rearrangement in an MIBK solvent followed by distillation and extraction steps to remove tars and recrystallization of the hydroquinone from acetone has great promise because it eliminates the use of benzene and other hazardous organic liquids as both a solvent and extractant and results in a product of very high purity.
- One drawback to such a process is the great number of unit operations which must be performed. This invention combines the desirable features of the process just described and, in addition, reduces the number of steps required.
- Hydroquinone may be synthesized by the improved process comprising the steps of:
- the acid catalyst may be present in the range from .05 to 3.0 weight percent of the reaction mixture. Water adversely affects the reaction by reducing acid strength and must be below 3 weight percent, prefera ly below one weight percent.
- the preferred temperature of the reaction is from 65°C to 85°C.
- the reaction solvent may be any water- insoluble liquid suitable for the selective extraction process (described in the Background section) for isolating p-diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide.
- the extract from the dehydroperoxide process is the feed to the hydroquinone synthesis process.
- suitable solvents are: methyl isopropyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, 1-pentanol, 3-pentanol, diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, ethyl isopropl ether, and mixtures of the foregoing with acetone.
- the pH of the reaction effluent is adjusted to from about 2.5 to 5.5, preferably within the range of 3 to 4.
- Anhydrous ammonia is particularly effective as a neutralization agent because it is readily dispersible in the organic solution.
- Other bases which are useful are described in U.S. Patent 3,927,124, column 2, lines 67-68 and column 3, lines 1-9, which is incorporated by reference into this application. That same patent describes a process for the pH adjustment or neutralization at columns 3, lines 15-54 which is also incorporated by reference into this application.
- the pH adjustment may also be accomplished by simply mixing the base with the rearranger effluent.
- the salt of the acid catalyst formed during the neutralization or pH adjustment step is insoluble in the reaction solvent and may thus be removed by precipitation, filtration or any other suitable solid liquid separation step. If precipitation is used, water is added to the reactor effluent prior to the salt separation step to facilitate the separation by dissolution of said salts into an aqueous phase which is withdrawn.
- the supernatant liquid or fiitrate from the salt separation step flow on to a distillation column in which are combined the unit operations of distillation to remove the acetone and reaction solvent and extraction of the hydroquinone into a water phase.
- the hydroquinone content of this supernatant stream will generally be from 1 to 15 weight percent, and is preferably from about 5 to 15 weight percent.
- the distillation column feed includes two other streams, an acetone stream and an aqueous stream, both of which may contain impurities and minor constituents not critical to the present process.
- the amount of water fed to the distillation column should be sufficient to both insure the transfer of most of the hydroquinone to the aqueous phase and to compensate for water lost in the overhead with any reaction solvent/water azeotrope.
- the ratio of organic to aqueous phase in the distillation bottoms is critical and depends on how pure the p-diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide feed is. The purer the feed is the smaller may be the ratio because the organic phase would have to "hold" less tars. Generally the weight ratio is between 0.5:10 and 5:10 and preferably is about 1:10. A ratio of 1:10 gives a good balance between the goals of minimizing the flow of organic phase in the bottoms and allowing some flexibility in the operation of the distillation column. In experiments an organic to aqueous phase volume ratio of about 1/10 in the distillation towers bottoms resulted in the transfer of 88 weight percent of the hydroquinone to the aqueous phase. The solubility of tars in water is negligible.
- the acetone feed along with the acetone obtained as a product of the rearrangement reaction is removed by distillation as overhead.
- the overhead also includes most of the reaction solvent (e.g. MIBK).
- MIBK reaction solvent
- the tower bottoms stream comprises an organic phase comprising reaction solvent in which are dissolved the tars and some hydroquinone and a water phase in which is dissolved most of the hydroquinone.
- concentration of hydroquinone in this aqueous phase is about 5 to 25 weight percent, preferably 8 to 10 weight percent.
- the concentration step (F) is generally run at a temperature from 65° to 100°C., preferably from 65° to 75°C.
- the aqueous phase is usually concentrated to from 25 to 30 weight percent hydroquinone. Lower concentrations tend to reduce crystallization yields, and higher concentrations tend to give a slurry which is too viscous.
- the term "repulping” as used herein means dissolving a wet precipitate such as a filter cake or centrifuge cake in a solvent.
- concentration of hydroquinone in the mixture leaving step (I) is generally between 30 and 50 weight percent. The purer the cake is, the higher the concentration can be.
- step (M) The conditions necessary for step (M) are a volume flow of water extractant that is several times that of the organic feed (e.g. 7:1) and an extraction temperature of about 80°C. Temperatures of up to 120°C are permissible if pressure is employed in the extraction.
- the function of the solvent recovery step (0) is to purify the tar-containing raffinate from step (M) so that it may be recycled back into the process. This purification may be done by any suitable unit operation such as distillation or evaporation.
- step (F) the water evaporated in concentration step (F) is utilized as an extractant in step (M) and is recycled to step (D) thus greatly reducing the water consumption which would otherwise be necessary.
- the single figure is a diagrammatic representation of the process of the present invention.
- the overall process will be described with reference to the flow diagram, with the proviso that this diagram is an exemplary embodiment of the invention and the process is not limited to this particular arrangement.
- the solid liquid separation step (H) is shown as a centrifuge; however, this operation could be done by a filter.
- the symbols represent unit operations, and ancillary equipment such as heat exchangers, pumps, and steam jet ejectors have not been illustrated.
- secondary process streams e.g. vapor leaving crystallizers
- utility streams e.g. steam
- the rearranger feed 1 contains p-diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide, reaction solvent and minor amounts of unreated p-diisopropylbenze (precursor to the dihydroperoxide) and impurities such as diisopropylbenzene monohydroperoxide and ⁇ -hydroxy-a'-hydroperoxy diisopropylbenzene.
- This feed is mixed in the rearranger reactor 3 with the acid catalyst 2 (such as sulfuric acid).
- the acid catalyst 2 such as sulfuric acid.
- Typical conditions for the rearrangement reaction are 82°C. and 0-138 kilopascals.
- the rearranger effluent 4 is mixed in-line with anhydrous ammonia gas which enters via stream 5 and water which enters via stream 6.
- the acid present in the reactor effluent is neutralized and this neutralized stream 7 enters the salt separator 8.
- the salt separator 8 consists of a vessel designed so that it has sufficient holding capacity to permit the transfer of the acid salts to the aqueous phase 9 and the removal of the supernatant organic stream 10 without disturbing this transfer.
- Stream 10 is mixed with the acetone filtrate 107 from centrifuge 106 and the combined stream 11 flows onto the distillation column 20.
- an aqueous stream 12 which consists of a combination of the aqueous extract 48 from extraction column 47 and filtrate stream 75 from centrifige 70. Any deficiency in the amount of water necessary is made up by adding water via stream 22.
- the distillation is carried out, as described in the summary section, so as to remove all of the acetone and most of the reaction solvent in the distillate 25.
- the hydroquinone is extracted into the aqueous phase and tars are concentrated in the organic phase in the distillation bottoms 28.
- phase separator 30 is a vessel designed to permit the decantation of the organic phase from the aqueous phase which contains the hydroquinone.
- the aqueous phase 32 is withdrawn and transferred to concentrator 40.
- the concentrator 40 is typically operated under a vacuum (71.982 kPa) and at an elevated temperature (e.g. 66°C.).
- the function of the concentrator is to remove sufficient water in order to successfully carry out the next unit operation, crystallization.
- the water removed leaves the concentrator via stream 41.
- the concentrate exits the concentrator via stream 45.
- crystals of hydroquinone are formed through gentle cooling and agitation, forming an aqueous slurry.
- This slurry 65 may be removed on a continuous or batchwise basis from the crystallizer.
- Stream 65 flows on to centrifuge 70 in which the wet hydroquinone crystals 77 are separated from the aqueous filtrate 75.
- the wet crystals 77 are transferred to repulper 80.
- the repulper 80 is an agitated vessel in which the wet hydroquinone crystals are dissolved in acetone which enters via stream 78.
- the mixture of hydroquinone, acetone and water thus formed, 85 flows from the repulper to crystallizer 90.
- Crystallizer 90 performs a similar function to crystallizer 60 with the exception that the solvent system is principally acetone instead of water. A slurry of hydroquinone crystals in the acetone solvent 95 exits the crystallizer 90 and flows on to centrifuge 106.
- Centrifuge 106 separates the hydroquinone crystals 110 (this time wet with acetone) from the acetone filtrate 107 which is recycled to the distillation column 20. Following centrifugation, the wet hydroquinone crystals are conveyed to a drier for conventional handling thereafter.
- the tar-containing organic phase 35 is transferred from phase separator 30 to extraction column 47 where it is contacted countercurrently with aqueous stream 44 (recycled stream 41 condensed in heat exchanger 43).
- Extraction column 47 is operated, as stated in the summary section, so that most of the hydroquinone in the organic phase is extracted into the aqueous phase.
- the hydroquinone-containing aqueous extract 48 is recycled to distillation column 20.
- the tar-containing organic raffinate 49 flows on to solvent recovery unit 51 where it is separated into relatively pure reaction solvent 54 and concentrated tars 52.
- a feed mixture was made by combining 230 grams of p-diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide (p-DHP) cake with 615 grams of MIBK and 93 grams of acetone and warming to 60°C.
- the cake was obtained as the product of a process similar to that described in U. S. Patent .3,883,600 (column 7, lines 9-13 and in Chemical Engineering, June 9, 1975, pp. 50-51 (vacuum drum filter cake).
- the cake was comprised of 85.6 percent p-DHP, 12.8 percent ⁇ -hydroxy-a'-hydroperoxy diisopropylbenzene and 1.6 'percent p-diisopropylbenzene.
- the rearrangement was initiated by the addition of this p-DHP feed to a nitrogen-purged three liter flask containing 2 grams of concentrated H 2 SO 4 in 80 grams of acetone. An additional one gram of concentrated H 2 so 4 was added to the reaction flask after one-half of the p-DHP feed had been added.
- the temperature of the rearrangement was maintained at 65 to 75°C. and was controlled by the adjustment of the rate of the addition of the feed and with external cooling in an ice bath. After all the feed was added, the rearranged solution was allowed to stand with stirring for an additional 10 minutes, neutralized with anhydrous NH 3 to a pH of 3.5 to 4.5 and vacuum filtered to remove the salts.
- the aqueous layer from the phase separation of the distillation tower bottoms was then concentrated by vacuum distillation to a hydroquinone content of 25 percent, cooled to 25°C. and centrifuged to obtain a wet hydroquinone cake (stream 77).
- the centrifuge filtrate (stream 75) was recycled to the distillation tower.
- the hydroquinone cake which contained about 20 percent water, was combined with an amount of acetone equal in weight to the cake, warmed until in solution, cooled to 20°C., and centrifuged to recover high purity hydroquinone.
- the centrifuge filtrate (stream 107) was recycled back to the distillation tower.
- Color number is an arbitrary color measurement obtained by comparing a 5 percent hydroquinone solution in a dilute acetic acid with a known set of color standards.
- the color standard is a platinum/cobalt (Pt/Co) standard of the American Public Health Association (APHA).
- Pt/Co platinum/cobalt
- a standard color number curve is plotted in using various solutions of the standard. As furnished, the standard has a color number of 500. A one percent solution would then have a color number of 5, etc.
- Measurements of light absorbance are made of an instrument such as a Beckman Spectrophotometer at a wave length of 390. For hydroquinone, a color number of less than or equal to 20 corresponds to commercially available photograde hydroquinone and meets the ASA specification for color and acetone solubility.
- the procedure described in the experimental section above was worked batchwise through seven cycles to determine the extent of color build-up or the decay of purity of hydroquinone.
- the product of the seventh cycle had a purity of 99 percent and a Pt/Co color number of 22.
- the crude cake before crystallization from acetone had a Pt/Co color number of about 300 and had a needle-like structure with rather poor flow properties characteristic of hydroquinone recovered by crystallization from water.
- the solvent recovery step (0) represented by item 51 on the flow diagram, may be eliminated if the organic raffinate (49) can be utilized or properly disposed of.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
- Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US05/833,204 US4119791A (en) | 1977-09-14 | 1977-09-14 | Aqueous recovery of hydroquinone |
US833204 | 1986-02-25 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0001043A2 EP0001043A2 (en) | 1979-03-21 |
EP0001043A3 EP0001043A3 (en) | 1979-04-04 |
EP0001043B1 true EP0001043B1 (en) | 1981-10-14 |
Family
ID=25263743
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP78100526A Expired EP0001043B1 (en) | 1977-09-14 | 1978-07-27 | Synthesis and aqueous recovery of hydroquinone |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4119791A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
EP (1) | EP0001043B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
JP (1) | JPS5452041A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
BR (1) | BR7805951A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
CA (1) | CA1103277A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
DE (1) | DE2861158D1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3037476A1 (de) * | 1979-10-09 | 1981-04-23 | Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Osaka | Verfahren zur trennung von resorcin und hydrochinon voneinander bzw. zur abtrennung und reinigung von hydrochinon aus verunreinigtem rohhydrochinon |
EP0085289A1 (en) * | 1981-12-24 | 1983-08-10 | Monsanto Company | Process for direct neutralization of product mixture resulting from acid catalyzed cleavage of alkyl aromatic hydroperoxides |
US4463198A (en) * | 1982-08-23 | 1984-07-31 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Method for the rearrangement of dialkylbenzene dihydroperoxides to dihydric phenols |
DE69318007T2 (de) * | 1992-11-05 | 1998-09-17 | Mitsui Petrochemical Ind | Verfahren zur herstellung von aromatischen hydroxyderivaten |
JP4473395B2 (ja) * | 2000-02-18 | 2010-06-02 | 住友化学株式会社 | ヒドロキシ芳香族化合物の製造方法 |
FR2903100B1 (fr) * | 2006-06-29 | 2012-08-03 | Rhodia Recherches & Tech | Procede de preparation d'hydroquinone purifiee |
FR2925489B1 (fr) * | 2007-12-19 | 2010-02-05 | Rhodia Operations | Procede de preparation de pyrocatechol purifie |
US8530705B2 (en) | 2009-03-25 | 2013-09-10 | Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited | Purification method of dihydroxybenzene |
CN110902919A (zh) * | 2019-11-27 | 2020-03-24 | 怀化旺达生物科技有限公司 | 一种氨基硫脲生产废水处理方法 |
CN116969815B (zh) * | 2023-09-25 | 2023-11-24 | 山东富宇石化有限公司 | 一种对苯二酚纯化和脱水方法 |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3968171A (en) * | 1970-03-05 | 1976-07-06 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Process for the continuous isolation of dihydric phenols |
US3927124A (en) * | 1970-03-05 | 1975-12-16 | Goodyear Tire & Rubber | Process for the neutralization of alkyl aromatic hydroperoxide rearrangement reaction products |
JPS501011B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * | 1970-06-18 | 1975-01-14 | ||
US3884983A (en) * | 1970-08-19 | 1975-05-20 | Goodyear Tire & Rubber | Process for the production of photograde hydroquinone |
US3895079A (en) * | 1972-06-28 | 1975-07-15 | Goodyear Tire & Rubber | Process for recovery of dihydric phenols |
JPS4943933A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * | 1972-09-04 | 1974-04-25 | ||
JPS5136430A (en) * | 1974-09-20 | 1976-03-27 | Mitsui Petrochemical Ind | Hidorokinon no seiseihoho |
-
1977
- 1977-09-14 US US05/833,204 patent/US4119791A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1978
- 1978-07-27 DE DE7878100526T patent/DE2861158D1/de not_active Expired
- 1978-07-27 EP EP78100526A patent/EP0001043B1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-09-01 CA CA310,507A patent/CA1103277A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-09-13 BR BR7805951A patent/BR7805951A/pt unknown
- 1978-09-14 JP JP11351178A patent/JPS5452041A/ja active Granted
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0001043A3 (en) | 1979-04-04 |
DE2861158D1 (en) | 1981-12-24 |
JPS6118537B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) | 1986-05-13 |
BR7805951A (pt) | 1979-05-02 |
US4119791A (en) | 1978-10-10 |
EP0001043A2 (en) | 1979-03-21 |
CA1103277A (en) | 1981-06-16 |
JPS5452041A (en) | 1979-04-24 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0001043B1 (en) | Synthesis and aqueous recovery of hydroquinone | |
US4239913A (en) | Process for preparing 2-hydroxynaphthalenecarboxylic acids | |
US4942265A (en) | Process for preparing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane of high purity | |
EP0123210A2 (en) | Improved method for purification of bisphenol A | |
US5264624A (en) | Process for the recovery of adipic acid | |
FI73967C (fi) | Foerfarande foer rening av p-aminofenol. | |
JP2796557B2 (ja) | ビスフェノールaの製造方法及びビスフェノールaを含むフェノール溶液の晶析生成物から分離された母液の処理方法 | |
JP2001525831A (ja) | ジヒドロキシジアリールアルカン類の連続的な製造方法 | |
US5155269A (en) | Purification of p-aminophenol compositions and direct conversion to N-acetyl-p-aminophenol | |
US4112244A (en) | Recovery of hydroquinone | |
KR100868168B1 (ko) | 비스페놀 에이의 경제적 정제방법 | |
CA2005469C (en) | Method of purifying bisphenols | |
US4420642A (en) | Selective removal and recovery of catechol mixed with 2-methallyloxyphenol | |
US4382039A (en) | Process for the preparation of 4-nitrotoluene-2-sulphonic acid | |
US5151525A (en) | Process for producing 2-oxo-1,3-dibenzyl-4,5-cis-imidazolidinedicarboxylic acid | |
US2797216A (en) | Production of caprolagtam | |
US4739117A (en) | Process for the isolation of diaryl guanidines | |
JPH0251537B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) | ||
US6316661B1 (en) | Process for the production of 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone diesters | |
US4463197A (en) | Method for purifying phloroglucin | |
JPS6339831A (ja) | ジヒドロキシナフタレンの精製方法 | |
US4053520A (en) | Production of para-dialkylbenzene dihydroperoxide | |
JP2874281B2 (ja) | ビフェニル―4,4’―ジオールの分離精製方法 | |
JPS6191144A (ja) | ネオペンチルグリコ−ルの製造法 | |
WO1991010637A1 (en) | A process for preparing oxalic acid |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
31I | Interruption | ||
31W | Resumption | ||
17P | Request for examination filed | ||
R17P | Request for examination filed (corrected) | ||
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 2861158 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19811224 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 19840619 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 19840813 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Effective date: 19890727 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19900330 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Effective date: 19900403 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: CL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: CL |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |